Saracens v Scarlets: Rhys Patchell impressed by 'awesome' Owen Farrell

Rhys Patchell has started at fly-half in all his Scarlets appearances this season

Rhys Patchell says Owen Farrell's performance for Saracens in the 31-23 away win over Toulon as "impressive."

Patchell lines up at fly-half for Scarlets opposite Farrell in Saturday's European Champions Cup match at the Allianz Stadium.

The England back kicked 16 points in his first game of the season in Toulon.

"He's an awesome player," said Patchell, 23. "To go to Stade Mayol and do it straight off the bat is very impressive."

Scarlets beat Sale Sharks 28-11 in their opening pool game, with Patchell kicking 13 points as he made his sixth start of the season in the number 10 shirt.

The Wales international left Cardiff Blues in the summer to have more chances at fly-half, and is looking forward to the challenge of playing the European champions.

And as impressed as he was with Farrell's display, Patchell will not be focusing on a personal battle.

"He's obviously a very very good player and, having been out the length of time he'd been out, he just picked up like he'd left-off in the summer in Australia, but we'll draw the line at that," he said.

"I wouldn't suggest any game is a personal battle.

Owen Farrell recovered from a back injury to play against Toulon

"The game is a collective, everybody wins together, everybody loses together.

"And I suppose as long as you do your job and you're effective in that, then that part of the game takes care of itself.

"We're under no illusions that Sarries have got a very good squad, not just a a good first XV - whoever they rotate in and out seems to be comfortable in their system and their roles."

Patchell played twice at full-back for Wales against New Zealand in June, but was omitted from the national squad for this autumn's internationals.

He says Saturday's match with Saracens is special.

"It's why people want to play in Europe. It's to test yourself against the best teams so it's exciting and it's pretty tough," he added,

"You need to prepare as well as you can whether you play against New Zealand on the summer tour, whether you play against Saracens. It's all about what can I do to make myself as good as I can be on this weekend and hopefully it all comes together on the 80 minutes.

"For a lot of us this competition could well be our internationals for the season so it's exciting, that's for sure."